The Journal
Everything you need, in the order you need it
Buying countertops involves a lot of decisions, and most of them come at you out of order. These guides follow the real sequence, from picking a stone to picking the shop that cuts it.
Start with the stone
Before anything else, narrow down the material. Each one behaves differently in a real kitchen.
Comparison
Quartz vs Granite Countertops: Which Is Right for Your Stamford Kitchen?
Quartz is lower maintenance and never needs sealing. Granite handles heat better and is one-of-a-kind. Here is how to choose for your kitchen.
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Comparison
Quartzite vs Marble Countertops: Which Is Right for Your Kitchen?
Quartzite gives you the marble look with far more durability. Marble is the timeless classic that needs more care. Here is how to choose.
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Buying guide
Bathroom Vanity Countertops in Stamford, CT: Materials & Ideas
Quartz is the low-maintenance favorite, marble and quartzite bring natural elegance, and a remnant slab can keep a small vanity affordable.
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Understand what drives the price
Two guides that explain where the number in a countertop quote actually comes from, so nothing on yours is a surprise.
Cost guide
How Much Do Countertops Cost in Connecticut? Granite vs Quartz
The price depends more on the slab you pick than on granite vs quartz. Here is what actually drives countertop cost, and how to get your real number.
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Cost guide
Why Your Countertop Quote Has More Square Feet Than Your Kitchen
You are not being overcharged. You are paying for the stone that has to be cut, not the stone you end up standing at. Here is the difference.
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Learn what good work looks like
The details that separate a countertop you love from one you notice every morning. This is the part almost nobody explains before you buy.
Fabrication
Countertop Seams and Slab Layout: How the Decisions Get Made
Almost every kitchen has a seam. The quality of your countertop is decided before anything is cut, when the layout is drawn on the slab.
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Design
Full Height Stone Backsplash: What to Decide Before You Cut
The veining continues from the counter up the wall. It is the most dramatic thing you can do with stone, and the decisions have to be made before anything is cut.
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Buying guide
Countertop Edge Profiles: A Simple Guide
Eased, beveled, bullnose, ogee, or waterfall? Here is what each edge looks like, what suits your kitchen, and how it affects price.
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Already know what you want?
You can skip ahead and get a real price range in minutes.
Start my free estimate →See how your project will run
What happens when, who does what, and how to keep your kitchen usable while it is happening.
Project planning
When Do Countertops Get Measured in a Kitchen Remodel?
Templating happens after cabinets are in, not from the drawings. Here is the full sequence, and the checklist for what has to be ready that day.
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Buying guide
How Long Does It Take to Get New Countertops?
Most projects take about 1 to 3 weeks from template to installation. Here is what affects the timeline and how to speed it up.
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Local guide
How to Buy Countertops in Stamford, CT: A Step-by-Step Guide
From choosing your material to installation, here is exactly how buying countertops in Stamford works, and how to see slabs in person.
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Care guide
How to Clean and Care for Your Countertops (by Material)
Use mild soap and water, skip harsh cleaners, and seal natural stone periodically. Here is exactly how to care for each material.
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Then choose who cuts it
By this point you know what to ask. Here is the checklist we would use ourselves.
Free consultation
Ready to start your countertops?
Get a fast, free estimate and hand-pick your slab. In-house fabrication, installed in 1 to 3 weeks.